SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — One of the biggest questions I had coming into spring training was this: What, exactly, is the Rockies’ overall plan under general manager Jeff Bridich, who’s now entering his second season?

We’ve seen them stock the bullpen with some good relievers who will take them through the next two seasons. We’ve seen them acquire a lot of young, powerful arms that could pay dividends somewhere down the road.

But what about right here, right now? I’m on the record as saying I don’t see this team being competitive in the National League West until 2017 — at the earliest.

Monday, at the annual Cactus League media day, the subject of the Rockies’ blueprint became a major topic of discussion. I’m working on that topic for a future story, but I thought this response from Bridich was interesting.

Asked why he has not publicly stated when be believes the Rockies might actually have a window of opportunity to begin winning, Bridich replied:

“What’s the point? Why limit ourselves? So if I were to come out and say something that’s pleasing to the ear of you, or a fan here or a fan there, and I say, ‘We’re not going to win for X.’ So what? What’s the point of doing that?

It’s about people. It’s about process. And it’s about how well can we do that together. If a lot of that or most of that comes together for us this year, wonderful. Why say something where it’s got to happen X number of months and years in the future, where really a lot of good things can happen this year. I just don’t see the point.”

Here is my translation: I believe Bridich and company believe they have a much more realistic chance to win next year or the year after. However, he has a lot more faith that good things can happen in 2016 than the rest of us do.

Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes could find out soon if he will be suspended under Major League Baseball’s new domestic violence policy(Mitchell Layton, Getty Images)

Scottsdale, Ariz. — The Jose Reyes watch continues.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said Friday that he has not been told when the shortstop might join the team. Most of Colorado’s position players have already reported to spring training, although the first full-squad workout isn’t scheduled until Thursday.

The Rockies also continue to say that don’t know anything about a possible suspension under Major League Baseball’s new domestic violence policy.

However, a resolution appears to be getting closer.

Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters Friday in Florida that he expects to have a decision within a few days on two of the first three cases covered by the sport’s new policy. MLB has been investigating cases involving New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, as well as Reyes. Manfred did not specify which cases he hopes to decide soon.

Reyes — part of the trade last July that sent Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto — is alleged to have assaulted his wife on Halloween in a Hawaii hotel. He is scheduled to go on trial April 4, the same day of the Rockies’ regular-season opener. That fact the Reyes still faces a criminal trial could play a part in Manfred’s decision. Reyes, slated to earn $22 million this season, is the Rockies’ highest-paid player.

However, the new policy states that the commissioner can hand out discipline for “just cause,” so Reyes’ appearance in criminal court is not necessarily the deciding factor. In addition, Reyes could appeal any suspension to baseball’s arbitrator.

“The standards of proof in a labor arbitration and a criminal case are very different,” Manfred told reporters during his first spring-training media availability.

“My strong preference would have been to have them decided by this point in the calendar,” Manfred continued. “More important than the calendar, however, is making sure that we know all the facts before I make a decision. The worst thing that can happen from our perspective is to make a decision and then find out that we decided without knowing everything that happened.”

Chapman was acquired by the Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds in a December trade. Chapman is under investigation for an incident at his house in Florida in October involving his girlfriend. Chapman is alleged to have fired a gun during the incident.

Prosecutors declined to file charges and Chapman has said he would appeal any MLB suspension.

Puig was involved in an argument with his sister at a Miami bar on Nov. 25. According to the Miami Police Department, Puig and a bouncer at the bar were involved in a fight after Puig was asked to leave following the argument with his sister.

Manfred said there are reasons why his decisions are taking so long.

“The timing of gathering those facts is not completely within our control,” Manfred said. “Obviously, in large measure we’re dependent on law enforcement and the activities surrounding the three incidents. I expect that we will have some action on at least two of the three in the next few days.”

Under MLB’s domestic violence policy, discipline is not contingent on a criminal conviction.

“There’s lots of reasons for non-prosecution,” Manfred said. “Not all of them relate to the underlying facts. It may be unavailability or unwillingness of witnesses to participate, whatever. That makes the cases difficult.

“Secondly, the policy is pretty explicit. The fact that law enforcement decides that it either is not going to — or cannot, because of a lack of proof — proceed doesn’t mean that discipline is not appropriate. The policy is very explicit about that.”

The Rockies unfolded a curious offseason. They stocked up on bullpen arms, but left the rotation untouched. They traded young slugger Corey Dickerson, and kept veteran Carlos Gonzalez. So what does it all mean? Do they have a plan?

What was the best move (or non-move) the Rockies made in the offseason? Can Tyler Chatwood lead the Rockies’ rotation? Is 100 losses a possibility for them in 2016?

Rockies prospect David Dahl headlines the players who have been invited to big-league camp during spring training.(The Associated Press)

Rockies prospect David Dahl continues to make headway toward joining the big-league club.

The outfielder heads the list of non-roster invitees who will report to spring training next week and work out with the big-league club. The Rockies released the list on Wednesday.

Dahl, drafted 10th overall in 2012 out of Oak Mountain High School in Alabama, looks ready to make a big splash after a traumatic 2015 minor-league season. While in Double-A, Dahl underwent an emergency operation to have his spleen removed following a collision with teammate Juan Ciriaco.

Still, Dahl hit .266/.298/.397 in 79 games, included a six game rehab stint with short-season, Class-A Boise.

Through four seasons in the minors, Dahl is hitting .309/.345/.497 with 144 RBI in 275 games.

Right-handed starter Jeff Hoffman, the key prospect acquired in the trade with Toronto last July in exchange for Troy Tulowitzki, also has been invited.

Here is the full list of players not on the 40-man roster who have been invited to big-league camp:

Greg Bird (31) of the New York Yankees hits a single in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 15, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images)

New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird suffered a shoulder injury and will miss the 2016 season, the club announced Monday.

The 23-year-old Bird, who starred at Grandview High School, played 46 games with the Yankees in 2015, batting .261 with 11 home runs and 31 runs batted in.

Bird will undergo surgery to repair a right shoulder labrum tear on Tuesday, the Yankees said.

He was drafted by New York in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB amateur draft.

However, a major-league source told me Tuesday that I should take the Dickerson trade talk “with a decent-sized grain of salt.”

That being said, I understand why the rumors persist. The recent acquisition of Gerardo Parra gives the Rockies four outfielders of starting caliber, all of whom are left-handed hitters. Plus, the Rockies could always use more starting pitching.

For the record, this is what Ken Rosenthal tweeted:

Some in game sense Dickerson will be OFer #Rockies trade. Will require less of return than Blackmon. #Rays involved, as @TBTimes_Rays said.

Are the Rays rekindling talks with the Rockies about OF Corey Dickerson?

We’ve reported before about the Rays interest in Dickerson, as well as Cubs INF Javier Baez and others.

Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal reported today that the Rockies may be most likely to trade Dickerson among their four left-handed hitting frontline outfielders, including Gerardo Parra (whom they just signed), Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon.

The Rockies are looking for pitching, so they could certainly match up with the Rays, whether on a starter, such as Jake Odorizzi, or perhaps more likely on reliever Jake McGee.

Dickerson, meanwhile, continues to prepare for the 2016 season with the idea that he will be playing in a Rockies uniform. This is what he told Thomas Harding of MLB.com:

“No one (officially) has contacted me. Family have asked me about it, but I’m just going about routines as I usually do and trying not to think about it too much.”

As for the idea of Dickerson moving to first base — something that many fans have asked me about — I don’t see it happening. Both GM Jeff Bridich and manager Walt Weiss have said there has been little discussion, and no plans, to move Dickerson to first.

Dickerson led the Rockies with 24 home runs in 2014, but he went on the disabled list three times last year, twice with plantar fasciitis in his left foot and once for a broken rib. His foot is healed now and Dickerson doesn’t anticipate any future problems.

Former Milwaukee Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo, who pitched last season for Texas, is considering signing with the Rockies.(Nam Y. Huh, The Associated Press )

Yovani Gallardo pitching for the Rockies in 2016?

I sure never saw that coming a week ago, but it could happen. A major-league source told me Friday that the Rockies have had “serious” talks with the free-agent, right-handed starter. However, I’m told that specifics — length of contract, and an exact dollar figure — have not been laid out. However, I’m also told that Gallardo is eager to sign with a team soon and has told the Rockies he is not afraid of the formidable challenge of pitching at Coors Field.

I would imagine that Gallardo would be looking for four or five-year deal at about $14 million a year; something similar to the five-year, $70 million deal Ian Kennedy got from the Royals.

Gallardo, who soon turns 30, turned down a qualifying offer from his 2015 team, the Rangers. That means the team that signs Gallardo will lose a valuable pick in this summer’s draft. By rule, however, the Rockies’ top pick is protected. That’s because they have top-10 overall pick — they’ll select fourth after finishing last season with a 68-94 record.

News broke Wednesday that Kyle Parker was designated for assignment in order to make room for Gerardo Parra on the 40-man roster. Parker was the club’s first-round pick in 2010 but he never developed into the big-league hitter the Rockies envisioned.

The Rockies decision to cut loose Parker got me thinking about their track record with their first-round draft choices.

It’s not good. Yes, the Rockies have struck gold in the later rounds — think Nolan Arenado (2009, second round), Charlie Blackmon (2008, second round) and Corey Dickerson (2010, eighth round). But there have been far too many busts and too much wasted money.

Bryan Kilpatrick of Purple Row notes the Rockies rank poorly when compared to the rest of the teams in the NL West and their production from first-round picks.

I understand that the MLB draft is a much different animal than the NFL draft. Yet for the Rockies, a team with a losing history and plenty of early first-round picks, draft busts are a very big deal. Here is a snapshot of their top picks since 2005:

Blackmon got pulled onto the court by super mascot Rocky during the Nuggets-Grizzlies game in Denver and he was challenged to make a behind-the-back, half-court shot. Normally it’s Rocky who takes the shot. Blackmon matched him:

“It went in. I lost control of my body, muscle function. I went crazy,” he said.

The best part is Blackmon’s answer when Altitude’s Vic Lombardi asks him about his basketball-playing past and Blackmon says, dead-pan:

“That’s a real low-percentage shot.”

Second best part is the t-shirt. “Once you go lumberjack, you never lumber back.”

The Rockies start spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Feb. 19, when pitchers and catchers report.

Starter Kyle Kendrick’s struggles were symbolic of the Rockies’ pitching woes in 2015. In 27 starts, Kendrick went 7-13 with a 6.32 ERA, including a 7.62 ERA at Coors Field.(Getty Images)

I owe former Rockies pitcher Kyle Kendrick an apology. So here it is. I hope it finds him.

I was covering the Broncos’ 23-16 playoff victory over the Steelers Sunday and I was tweeting up a storm. The Broncos were not playing well — dropping passes, blowing coverage in the secondary — and I was being critical. That’s fine, it’s part of being a “journalist” in this digital age.

But I crossed the line with this juvenile, classless tweet:

It's 13-9 here at Mile High between #Broncos and Steelers. Like the 7th inning of a #Rockies game at Coors with Kyle Kendrick pitching.

I was trying to be funny and draw attention to myself. It was a low blow and I regret it. It was unprofessional and petty. I heard through the grapevine that Kendrick read my tweet, and I imagine it bothered him.

Yes, Kendrick pitched poorly for the Rockies in 2015, going 7-13 with a 6.32 ERA while serving up 33 home runs. He was a bad fit at Coors Field where he was 2-6 with a 7.62 ERA and gave up 21 homers.

But let me add that Kendrick always treated me with respect and class. He answered my questions, and though he dodged the media a few times, he was a gentleman during a tough time.

I’ll stand behind my stories about Kendrick’s struggles as a pitcher, but he deserved better than my cheap shot via Twitter. I learned a lesson and I’m going to be a better journalist, and a better person, in the future.

The weather still says winter, but Rockies pitcher and catchers report to spring training in just 33 days.

Fans who can’t wait that long for their baseball fix should circle Jan. 23 for the annual Rockies Fest at Coors Field. More than 40 Rockies players, coaches and alumni are scheduled to attend.

All ticket proceeds benefit the Colorado Rockies Foundation.

Ticket information and times for the event can be found in this release from the Rockies:

COLORADO ROCKIES ANNOUNCE TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2016 ROCKIES FEST

Tickets are now available for 2016 Rockies Fest, which will take place at Coors Field on Saturday, January 23 from 12:30-4:00 p.m. MST for the general public with special access being granted to Rockies Season Ticket holders beginning at 8:30 a.m. MST.

The annual event will feature appearances by over 40 Rockies players, coaches and alumni. All ticket proceeds will benefit The Colorado Rockies Foundation, which makes charitable grants to several organizations in the Denver area that support underprivileged and at-risk youth through programs for youth baseball, education and health.

Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $1.00 for children ages 3-12 and free for infants and toddlers under two years of age. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.rockies.com/rockiesfest. Season Ticket Holders may reserve admission tickets for free at the same web address.

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has been reassured by general manager that a trade is not imminent.(Mike Zarrilli, Getty Images)

Speculation continues to swirl around Rockies star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and his future in Colorado, but general manager Jeff Bridich has reached out to CarGo to assure him that the rumors are just that — rumors.

Here is what Bridich told me Wednesday:

“I did speak with CarGo. I told him that there’s a lot of media rumors, speculation and guessing going on about his status. (I) reminded him that if he reads something but doesn’t see me quoted directly, then it is likely a rumor or a guess and nothing more.”

That does not mean that Gonzalez won’t be traded, but it certainly slows down the rumor mill.

Translation: “Carlos Gonzalez will stay with the Rockies, Jeff Bridich has told him he won’t be moved … at least not during the offseason.”

That’s different from what Bridich told me, but it shows that Bridich is reaching out to Gonzalez. That’s a good thing. A few days ago, CarGo told me he had not been told anything about his status with the Rockies, or in the club’s interest in Gerardo Parra, who just agreed to terms with the club.

Parra has agreed to a three-year, $27.5 million deal, though the contract has not been finalized and the Rockies have not confirmed the deal. However, in the wake of the news, the winter trade buzz has really taken off. The thinking is that one of the Rockies’ left-handed hitting (starting) outfielders — Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson or CarGo — will be shipped out of Colorado.

Tyler Chatwood is coming back from his second TJ surgery, the first coming when he was in high school.

Jorge De La Rosa had the surgery, too.

But that’s not the whole story … not the big story.

This is: Responsible youth baseball coaches consider overuse injuries in high school pitchers (and even young kids) as an epidemic. They are seeing boys as young as age 14 going under the knife.

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) is taking steps to prevent future injuries by implementing a pioneering rule which puts high school pitchers in Colorado on a pitch count that goes into effect this spring.

Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza were introduced as the elected Hall of Fame class of 2016. Both Griffey and Piazza selected what cap they will be wearing in Cooperstown during a press conference in New York.

Here is a look at what you might have missed from the press conference.

The big-league outfield dominoes have begun to fall, which could spark some offseason movement by the Rockies.

With the Royals recently re-signing Alex Gordon (four years, $72 million) and the Giants signing Denard Span on Thursday (three years, $31 million), other free-agent outfielders are going to start signing on the dotted line in short order.

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training just six weeks from Thursday.

Reports continue to crop up that the Rockies are pushing hard for free-agent Gerardo Parra, who played last year with the Brewers and the Orioles. The latest tease comes from Jon Heyman, who was the first to report the Parra-Rockies connection on Dec. 31:

rockies are among teams making a push for gerardo parra. OF market obviously starting to percolate.

If the Rockies are indeed aggressively pursuing Parra, what does that mean? Parra, 28, is seeking a multiyear deal and it’s difficult to see the Rockies signing him without trading their most expensive outfielder. That would be Carlos Gonzalez, who is owed $37 million in salary over the next two years.

I’ve been told there is a tug-of-war at 20th and Blake about trading CarGo, even if it’s for an accomplished starting pitcher, or a top prospect and a reliever. The Rockies are going to drive a hard bargain for Gonzalez, who came back from injuries to hit a career-high 40 homers last season.

I don’t cover baseball anymore. Of course, I miss it. I love baseball. I played it, my father coached it, I have coached my sons for more than a decade. It’s ingrained. However, it was time for a change when I left the Rockies beat in April 2014. I needed to be home more with my family.

When it comes to Colorado sports, there are the Broncos and everyone else. I am lucky to chronicle football again (I covered the Broncos from 1996-2000). I haven’t looked back. But I still watch baseball coverage closely on this day. That’s because I haven’t lost my baseball Hall of Fame vote. I take the privilege seriously.

The 2016 Hall of Fame class will be announced Thursday at 4 p.m. Ken Griffey Jr. is considered a lock. (Troy E. Renck/The Denver Post)

As I have said in this space before, it is a wonderfully challenging exercise, an obstacle course of statistics and debates. My ballot is not perfect. Does one exist? This year my ballot was slightly different.

I voted for Larry Walker for the first time.

Walker is the most talented player I have ever covered. His 1997 National League MVP season was breathtaking in every way from baserunning to defense to his rifle arm and 49 home runs. I said no to Walker in the past because his statistics fell short because of missed games. He averaged 124 a season. Had he avoided injury or played more when the Rockies were eliminated Walker would have posted no-doubt Cooperstown numbers.

So why now?

It’s the ballot, and the new rules. With a slew of candidates reaching the Hall in recent years — Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Frank Thomas, Craig Biggio, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson — it created room for Walker when choosing 10.

I haven’t always marked the box for the full amount. It made sense this year. And with Walker, I want him to stay on the ballot to generate conversation about his candidacy. I can’t promise I will always vote for him but I’d like to see his candidacy marinate longer as voters analyze his numbers and wrap their minds around the impact of Coors Field. (Playing in Denver, in my opinion, hurts Walker’s candidacy more than it helps, which is a shame because he could hit in the desert or on the moon).

Walker’s voting totals have plunged toward him falling off the ballot over the past five years (5 percent is required):20.3 percent in 2011
22.9 in 2012
21.6 in 2013,
10.2 in 2014
11.8 in 2015

Remember the rules have changed. A player can now only remain on the ballot for 10 years, compared to 15 in the past. So perhaps I am gaming my ballot. But I believe Walker deserves to be part of the debate this year whether he gets in or not.

My 2016 Hall of Fame ballot. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post)

As for a deeper explanation on my ballot, I offer my past blog post on the matter:
“I have not endorsed known steroid users, and that did not change this year. My standard, which will be understandably questioned, is to leave out those who tested positive, admitted using or have an avalanche of evidence against them through federal investigations.
So I said no to Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. I realize my logic will be criticized with those insisting that my ballot does include PED users. They could be right. But I am not basing my vote on speculation or rumors.

I have covered the major leagues since September of 1996, and as a traveling beat writer since 2001. Those who took steroids had a clear advantage over those who didn’t. I respectfully disagree with writers who insist “that everyone was doing it.” That’s insulting to clean players who ultimately pushed the union to agree more stringent testing. I will give two examples of why I cannot endorse known steroid users.

I had a minor league player, not on the Rockies, approach me in spring training in 2004. We were talking about roster spots, and the difficulty of making a team. He said he would have never made it to the big leagues a few years prior if he hadn’t been placed on the 40-man roster. There’s always truth to this given the team’s investment. He said it wasn’t that — it was because he could take steroids. He had been tested in the minor leagues while not on the 40-man roster, but found himself competing in spring training against players who were not subject to the same rules. This was the culture baseball created.

A former Rockies player relayed a more sobering story. He was a good player, but conflicted. A few of his ex-teammates from his amateur days had gone on to great success in the pros, posting Nintendo numbers because of performance-enhancing drugs, he claimed. He couldn’t bring himself to cheat, citing family and health concerns. Eventually, he ended up clinically depressed, requiring medication. So no, I don’t think everyone was doing it. Even if many were, I still don’t see how that provides justification. If your child was in a class were 25 of the 45 kids cheated and your child didn’t would you believe in rewarding those who bent the rules? Your child gets a B, those 25 get A’s and you are OK with that?

When Mark McGwire admitted his use prior to returning to the big leagues as a coach, he admitted he was never going to get into the Hall of Fame because of his actions. And if everyone was doing it, thus a non-issue, where are all of the players speaking out on behalf of steroid users? Why aren’t they voicing their opinion?

I believe it’s because they know it was wrong. Baseball didn’t test for PEDS, but steroids were illegal in society for decades, and sprinter Ben Johnson’s disgraced Olympic episode brought a spotlight to their use in 1988. Taking them was a way to go outside the rules to enhance performance. Even if some players insist it didn’t help them, that was the intent. They didn’t take them to decrease their performance.”

The Rockies have reportedly asked about a trade for Orioles right-hander and Grandview High School product Kevin Gausman in exchange for Carlos Gonzalez, but that deal likely won’t happen.(The Associated Press)

With apologies to Tom Petty, the waiting really is the hardest part, at least for Rockies fans desperate to see a major move from the front office this offseason.

Those aren’t terrible moves. Every bullpen needs some veteran arms and I think Motte has a chance to be solid. But whether he’ll be any better as a closer than the departed John Axford is a big question mark.

If Reynolds’ power transfers to Coors Field, as he told me it will, the Rockies will get some needed pop from the right side of the plate. My fear is that Reynolds’ history of massive strikeout totals and a low career on-base percentage (.324) will only exacerbate Colorado’s hitting woes on the road.

The overriding issue — upgrading woeful starting pitching — has yet to be addressed. There is still plenty of time to swing a deal, but so far all of the speculation by me and many others has hit a dead end:

* Thomas Harding of MLB.com wrote this week that the Rays might be interested in swapping a young pitcher for a Rockies starting outfielder, or perhaps for Rockies prospects such as former No. 1 draft pick David Dahl and hitting prospect Raimel Tapia.

Additionally, FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reported, citing sources, that the Rockies have talked to the Rays, who have multiple pitchers who could be available — lefty Matt Moore, prized righty Jake Odorizzi and fellow righties Drew Smyly and Alex Cobb.

A healthy Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez has become the subject of a lot of trade rumors.(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)

‘Tis the season for speculation, and there is a lot of it going on right now regarding Rockies star right fielder Carlos Gonzalez.

The thinking around baseball is simple: With the cost of free-agent outfielders soaring sky high (Jayson Heyward, Chicago Cubs, eight years, $184 million), CarGo is seen as a relative bargain. He’s owed $37 million over the next two seasons and he’s the type of power hitter who could help a team turn the corner.

Teams with playoff aspirations — Royals, Cardinals, Giants, Orioles, Angels and perhaps even the Nationals — see Gonzalez as a possible piece of the puzzle. When CarGo struggled early last season with injuries, his trade value plummeted, but his resurgence in June through the end of the season made him a prime-time player again.

Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich made it clear during last week’s winter meetings that he was fielding offers for outfielders Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon, as well as Gonzalez. Ideally, Colorado wants frontline starting pitching in return, but that’s a scarce resource. So the Rockies might also be interested in packages including mid-rotation big-league starters, top pitching prospects and some bullpen help.

Former Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer, one of baseball’s classiest players, is retiring after 15 big-league seasons.(Getty Images North America)

In the southwest corner of Denver’s Observatory Park sits a backstop and a bare-bones baseball diamond. I drive by it often because I love the neighborhood.

I drove by again Saturday as the snow floated down, creating a Christmas postcard.

As I looked at the snow-covered diamond, I thought about Michael Cuddyer.

The former Rockies outfielder and part-time first baseman retired from baseball Friday night, saying his 36-year-old body just couldn’t take the strain and the pounding anymore.

During his three seasons with the Rockies, Cuddy rented a house and lived directly across the street from that baseball diamond in Observatory Park. He would go there with his son, Casey, where they would play catch and where Cuddy taught Casey how to hit.

One day, when Cuddyer was coming back from one of the many injuries that marred his final seasons, Cuddyer ventured into the park and began throwing baseballs, chucking them as hard and as far as he could to prove to himself he was ready to return from the disabled list. A few days later, he did just that.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.